China's first domestically built aircraft carrier to expect sea trials

APD NEWS

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The Liaoning Maritime Bureau recently announced that three areas in the northeastern Bohai and Yellow Sea would be cordoned off for military activities from April 20 to 28.

Some military experts predicted that the initial sea trial for China's first domestically-built aircraft carrier may begin during this period. Similar warnings were given this time last year, then the aircraft carrier has entered the water soon after.

The vessel, which is designated as the Type 001A, is finishing construction at a Dalian shipyard. The giant ship does not have a name yet, and unlike the Liaoning – China’s first aircraft carrier – which was originally purchased incomplete from Ukraine, the Type 001A was built from scratch in China. And while the Liaoning aircraft carrier has been efficiently utilized as a training platform to educate the foundational core of officers, sailors and pilots that will build PLA's future aircraft carrier force, the new aircraft carrier can be in the combat-ready mode once commissioned to the PLA navy.

China launched its first domestically-constructed aircraft carrier, the Type 001A, on April 26, 2017.

During this year's Two Sessions in Beijing, the chairman of Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company told the press that all the equipment and devices on the carrier are at the joint debugging stage, and the main engine has been powered. During the sea trials, key systems of the carrier including the propulsion system, the radar and navigation system will be tested, and engineers at the shipyard will also make sure that every deck under the water does not suffer leaks.

The specific sea trial day will be decided by hydrological and tidal conditions, with a high tide level being the best criteria. But what is certain is that the carrier will be a potent symbol of a modernized Chinese military in the foreseeable future.

(CGTN)